This document discusses agnosticism and atheism, explaining that agnostics believe the existence of a deity cannot be proven or disproven, while atheists assert there is no god. It also addresses the possibility of an agnostic/atheist marrying Catholic, noting the Catholic spouse must promise to raise children Catholic and obtain permission from the local bishop. The document provides references for a Catholic marriage involving disparity of belief.

1. Agnostic/Atheist
Presented by Anh To

2. What is an Agnostic/Atheist?
• Agnostics believe that the existence of a deity can neither be proven nor
disproven.
• Agnostics would be willing to change their belief if some solid evidence or
logical proof is found in the future.
• Columbia encyclopedia: "[A belief] that the existence of God cannot be
logically proved or disproved. Agnosticism is not to be confused with
Atheism which asserts that there is no God.”

4. Agnostic Theists
• A deity probably exists, even
though god's existence cannot be
proven;
Agnostic Atheists
• It is very improbable that a deity
exists, even though god's non-
existence cannot absolutely be
proven.

5. Agnostic/Atheist marrying
Catholic
•Possible, no need to change religious.
•2 primary references

6. First is the Code of Canon Law concerning
mixed marriages
• Permission from the local Bishop
• The Catholic spouse must make a promise to remove all barriers to remain Catholic
and must remain Catholic
• The Catholic spouse must make a promise to baptize, raise any children from the
marriage in the Catholic Church
• Informing his/her partner of the above promises prior to marriage
• Both spouses must be instructed as to the purpose and essential properties of
marriage

7. Second is the Catechism of the Catholic Church
concerning the Sacrament of Matrimony
• CCC1621-1632 deal with the form of marriage
• CCC1633-1637 deal specifically with mixed marriages and disparity of cult.

8. These classes are called Pre-Cana and in most parishes they are required
before a priest will marry you. They satisfy the requirements of Canon
law (above), that the spouses be made aware as to the purpose and
properties of marriage, and will be particularly important in your
marriage as it involves disparity of cult.
The Church is inflexible regarding the requirements for a valid wedding.
Marriage isn't a contractual obligation between two persons, it is a
covenantal relationship mutually conferred and recognized by God, Who
has established it in sacramental form. It is a serious, life-long obligation
that goes far deeper than what one would typically recognize in our
society today, hollow as it has become.

9. Wedding venue

10. • The ceremony must be conducted in proper canonical form (that is,
before a member of the Catholic clergy) unless a dispensation is received
from the local Bishop
• It is forbidden to hold two ceremonies wherein you take the marital vows
• Wedding that not to be celebrated in a church would require a
dispensation; whether the pastor can give this or the Bishop, you will need to
consult with your local pastor. If the purpose of the wedding being
celebrated outside a church isn't for some grave reason (for example, because
one spouse believes it would be more aesthetically pleasing - ie, "We think it
would be so wonderful to be married on a beach!") then it is unlikely a
dispensation would be given.

12. References
• http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/agnostic-religion-faq.htm
• http://www.religioustolerance.org/agnostic.htm
• http://www.reddit.com/r/Catholicism/comments/1cx2sw/an_atheist_marrying_a
_catholic/
• http://www.catholicweddinghelp.com/questions/unbaptized.htm#sthash.QGfpSO
L9.dpuf
• http://dict.die.net/agnostic/
• George Smith, "Atheism: The case against God (Skeptic's bookshelf)," Prometheus
Books, (1980).